Israeli Election Race Begins as Party Lists Finalized

The deadline for submitting party lists for the upcoming Knesset elections passed late Tuesday night, with 38 parties officially registered to compete. The political landscape has now shifted to the campaign trail, with parties vying for victory and coalition building.

On the left, a new "electric train" has departed, carrying various passengers who are already reportedly squabbling over positions, aiming for a win but facing questions about their endurance. Recent polls suggest a potential decline in support, possibly due to internal disputes, such as tensions between Avigdor Lieberman and Gabi Ashkenazi, and the "Achva" party's insistence on leading the bloc. This internal friction is reportedly causing the Ashkenazi bloc to fall short of the 61 seats needed to form a coalition.

Meanwhile, on the right, the "train" arrived late, with some members still uncertain about their alignment. Intense discussions are underway regarding the controversial figure of Ofer Winter, with concerns that he might alienate voters and jeopardize a potential victory. A senior Likud official stated, "Winter is a malfunction, we will go after him, he is burning votes."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces these elections without having unified his bloc as in the past. He has not secured new potential voters through endorsements and is dealing with factions that could splinter votes. Even if Netanyahu attempts to sideline Winter, his ability to absorb smaller parties, a tactic he has used previously, may be diminished. The question remains whether Netanyahu can manage with the existing factions, potentially running on fumes, and whether Ashkenazi can successfully navigate his path to victory. The ultimate measure of success will be who enters the Prime Minister's residence on Balfour Street following the elections.